Tuesday, June 30, 2015

Dear Lord, thank you for Taras
Natyshak. We ask today that he would be optimistic about the future and that
his optimism would fuel a renewed drive in his professional work. As a newer
MPP help him to learn his role so that he may serve well. May he continually
help his constituents and the people that he has been tasked with representing.
Empower him to bring divergent groups together in order to find mutually
beneficial compromises. Amen.

Taras Natyshak has a passion for community involvement and public service. Born and raised in Essex County, he has made extensive contributions to the region as a volunteer, health care advocate, and labour activist.

Prior to his election on October 6th, 2011, Taras was the Director of Training for the Labourers’ International Union of North America. He is experienced in heavy construction projects across the province and active in the movement for Occupational Health and Safety reform.

Taras has dedicated much of his passion and energy to implementing positive change in his community. He has served on the boards of the Windsor Workers Action Centre and Sexual Assault Crisis Centre. Taras has also volunteered much of his time with the United Way and the Canadian Paraplegic Association.

Growing up in a politically active family Taras quickly learned that working Ontarians need strong representation, and rural Ontario needs a clear voice. Fluent in both English and French, Taras was already experienced as a small business owner by the time he pursued studies in political science and labour studies at the University of Windsor. He has used his understanding of the challenges facing Essex families to campaign for a national agriculture policy protecting family farms from the pressures of globalization.

Taras knows that working Ontarians, both urban and rural, need strong representation. With these values at heart, he has fought for Occupational Health and Safety reform and advocated a national agriculture policy that would help family farms thrive.

Taras and his wife Jennifer have been married for 10 years, and they have two young children. The Natyshaks make their home in Belle River. In his spare time, Taras enjoys spending as much time with his family as possible.

Monday, June 29, 2015

Dear Lord. We pray today for the
Honourable Yasir Naqvi. Thank you for his diligence in legislative work as
Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services and Government House
Leader as well as his commitment to improve himself and add value to those he
serves. We pray that you bless him with meaningful opportunities to make
significant and positive changes in the lives of people. May he have the wisdom
and professional capacity to know how to leverage and influence government
policy to benefit the most people while minimizing the unintended consequences
of legislation. Also, we ask that you give him a wonderful summer that is both
restful, exciting, and memorable. Amen.

BIOGRAPHY

Yasir Naqvi was first elected to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario in October 2007. He served as Ontario's Minster of Labour from February 2013 to March 2014, and Premier Kathleen Wynne appointed him as the Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services in March, 2014. He is also part of the Cabinet Committees on Health, Education and Social Policy, Jobs and Economic Policy, and Poverty Reduction and Social Inclusion.

As the MPP for Ottawa Centre, Yasir has been a tireless advocate for public services and sustainable community growth. Working closely with the community, he helped secure funding to build over 350 new affordable housing units, two new buildings at Carleton University and over $300 million in infrastructure upgrades and community projects throughout Ottawa Centre. These include a second level to the Charlotte Birchard Centre of Early Learning, a new, permanent addition at Mutchmor Public School, the creation of an Innovation Hub at Bayview Yards, and funding to expand the Ottawa Heart Institute.

He has introduced several Private Member's Bills, including the Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods Act, 2009, the Escaping Domestic Violence Act, 2010, the College and University Student Associations Act, 2011, the Protection of Public Participation Act, 2012, and the Enhancing Red Light Camera System Enforcement Act, 2012 - each born of an idea from one of his constituents.

Prior to representing Ottawa Centre, Yasir was the Associate Director and International Trade Counsel at the Centre for Trade Policy and Law (CTPL), a non-profit think-tank affiliated with Carleton University and the University of Ottawa. Before joining CTPL, he practiced international trade, competition, regulatory and administrative law with major law firms in Ottawa. In addition, he has served as part-time professor at the University of Ottawa Faculty of Law, and guest lecturer at Carleton University.

Yasir obtained his law degree from the University of Ottawa, and is called to the bars of Ontario, and England and Wales. He holds a Master's Degree in International Affairs from the Norman Patterson School of International Affairs at Carleton University, as well as a Bachelor of Arts (Political Science) and Bachelor of Sciences (Life Sciences) from McMaster University.

Yasir is recognized by his peers as a strong community leader and involved resident of Ottawa Centre. He sat on the Board of Directors of the Centretown Community Health Centre for four years, and has been the Co-Chair of the Capital Food Bank Blitz since 2005, raising over 356,000 pounds of food for those in need in the community. In 2013, Yasir was recognized as a Community Builder by United Way Ottawa.

Saturday, June 27, 2015

Heavenly Father we pray for the Honorable Glen Murray and
the riding of Toronto Centre. We pray that he would know your strength, wisdom
and courage as he serves the people of his riding. We also ask that as he
serves as a member of the government in Cabinet, that you would give him wisdom
and favor. Protect him, in Jesus name we pray.

BIOGRAPHY

Glen Murray has a lifetime of activism in urban planning, sustainable development and community health. He was the Senior Resident and Visiting Fellow at the Faculty of Architecture and Landscape Design at Massey College, University of Toronto and worked on the Development of the University’s City Centre. He was a Managing Partner of AuthentiCITY, a Toronto based Urban Sustainability consulting and planning firm.

He was appointed President and CEO of the Canadian Urban Institute in 2007 and led the development of award winning programs in community energy mapping & planning, regional economic development and culture lead regeneration of urban centres.

He has served on several university, hospital and community boards including the Expo 2015 Bid Committee and the Toronto District School Board’s Reference Group for Improving Services for Marginalized Students.

Glen was appointed by the Prime Minister of Canada to Chair the National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy (NRTEE), where he helped to shape environmental policy and respond to climate change in Canada.

Glen is a founding member of the Canadian AIDS Society and was Director of Health Education and HIV Prevention Services at the Village Clinic/9 Circles Community Health Centre in Winnipeg. He was also part of the World Health AIDS Service Organization’s working group for the Global Program on AIDS.

Glen was mayor of the City of Winnipeg and during his tenure was the Chair of the Big City Mayors Caucus where he led the successful campaign that resulted in the federal government to transfer the equivalent of 5 cents a litre of the federal tax on gas to municipalities for infrastructure renewal and construction.

Glen has a long history of active participation in human rights and social activism. He was a member of the Toronto Gay Patrol in 1983, the Co-Chair of Canadians for Equal Marriage and has logged over 5,000 kilometres cycling for Habitat for Humanity’s fundraising “Cycle for Hope” to raise money for affordable housing in Canada.

In recognition of Glen’s efforts toward historical preservation in the downtown and his encouragement of high standards and creativity in design, he was made an Honourary Member of the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada in 2002.

Glen’s public service has led to several awards including the Queen’s Jubilee Medal, the 2003 “Fight for LGBT Justice and Equality” award from Egale Canada and for his work with the aboriginal community he was given the highest honour of an Eagle Feather.

Glen was born in Montreal where he earned a diploma from John Abbott College. He then attended Concordia University’s School of Community and Public Affairs for four years, majoring in Urban Studies. While at Concordia, he served as President of the student union.

Thursday, June 25, 2015

Heavenly Father we pray for Julia Munro and the riding of
York Simcoe. May she be filled with your strength and courage. Help her as she
serves the people of her riding. Give her strength, protection and prosperity.
May her leadership bring honor to You we pray.

BIOGRAPHY

Julia and her family are longtime residents of the riding of York-Simcoe. She and her husband, John, and their daughter have lived in Georgina since 1972. Julia has been involved in local and provincial issues since then.

She has served the York-Simcoe community as their Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP) since first elected in 1995. During her time both in Government and in Opposition, Julia has been outspoken against government’s continued trend of attacking individual rights and freedoms. She consistently opposes government’s reach into people’s lives and works toward restoring the rights and responsibilities of individuals and families. She puts people first.Born in Hamilton and raised in midtown Toronto, Julia is a graduate of the University of Toronto. As a high school teacher, she taught thousands of students over her 28 year career.

Wednesday, June 24, 2015

Heavenly Father and God of might, we pray today for Reza
Moridi and the riding of Richmond Hill. We pray for wisdom and strength. We also
ask that as she serves at Queens Park you would grant her courage. Protect and
bless her family. In your name, amen.

BIOGRAPHY

In February 2013, Premier Wynne appointed Reza Moridi Minister of Research and Innovation and in June 2014 as the Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities. He has also served as the Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities, the Minister of Research and Innovation and the Minister of Energy.

Moridi currently sits on the Cabinet Committees on Legislation and Regulations, Northern Ontario and Jobs and the Economy. He previously served on the Parliamentary Standing Committees on Public Accounts, General Government and Justice Policy.

Moridi was first elected to the Ontario Legislature in 2007 and re-elected in 2011. He represents the riding of Richmond Hill where he has lived with his family since 1991.

Moridi has taken action in the Legislature to recognize days of cultural and professional significance in Ontario. In 2008, he introduced a Motion in the Legislature proclaiming the first day of spring as Nowruz. He also introduced Motions to recognize February 21st as International Mother Language Day in Ontario and to name May 1st Doctors’ Day in Ontario on the birthday of the first female physician in Canada, Dr. Emily Stowe. His Motions were passed unanimously at the Legislature.

In recognition of the importance of public health, Moridi introduced a Private Members Bill -the Radon Awareness and Prevention Act, 2011 – to raise awareness about this naturally occurring cancer causing substance and reduce it in homes and workplaces through the establishment of the Ontario Radon Registry and testing homes and workplaces for radon. He also introduced a Private Members Bill: to amend the Municipal Act 2001 to provide that the head of council of the Regional Municipality of York must be elected. This would make the Chair and CEO of York Region be elected by popular vote rather than be appointed by the Regional Councillors.

In addition to his political career, Moridi is an award-winning scientist, engineer, educator, business leader and community activist.

Moridi has sat on the advisory boards of not-for-profit organizations such as the Richmond Hill Philharmonic Orchestra, JusticeNet, Education International for the Poor and Spirit of Life.

Educated in the UK, Moridi obtained a PhD from Brunel University. He is a Chartered Engineer and Chartered Physicist.

Prior to his entry to politics, Moridi had a 17-year career at the Radiation Safety Institute of Canada where he was the Vice-President and Chief Scientist. Moridi worked as a CEO and Chair in the electrical industry and his career in academia included serving as the Dean of the School of Sciences, Chair of the Physics Department, University Chief Librarian and member of the Senate at Alzahra University in Tehran.

In his role as Minister or Research and Innovation Reza Moridi’s extensive political, business and scientific background provide him with the knowledge and the experience needed to bridge academia and innovators with business and government. He continues as well, to advocate on behalf of his constituents in Richmond Hill.

Tuesday, June 23, 2015

Heavenly Father and God of glory, we thank you for the
gift of leadership. We pray for Paul Miller as he serves the riding of Hamilton
Stoney Creek. We pray that he would know your wisdom, strength and courage. Bless the
riding of Hamilton Stoney Creek with peace, and prosperity. May you give
Mr.Miller a spirit of courage and creativity as he leads. Amen.

BIOGRAPHYPaul Miller was born in Hamilton and raised in Stoney Creek. He is a dedicated labour rights activist who worked for 32 years at Hamilton Steel (formerly Stelco – where his family’s total years of service exceeds 300 years) as an industrial mechanic, welder and fitter.

As a labour leader with the United Steelworkers, Paul represented the Union in Ottawa, on nine federal campaigns on behalf of workers in Hamilton and across the country, pushing to change Canadian labour laws to protect pensions and the rights of workers.Locally, Paul served as a Stoney Creek City Councillor for 6 years. During his first term, he was active with the Hamilton and Wentworth County Public School Board and the Community Liaison Committee for the Taro Landfill and Hamilton Region Conservation Authority.During his second term, he was Chairman of Parks and Recreation and was active with city committees dealing with firefighting, licensing, engineering and planning.As your MPP Paul has taken the lead on these files – sports, culture, tourism, Ministry of Government Services – particularly ServiceOntario, pensions WSIB, Seniors’ Issues, economic development.Paul helped his wife – Carole Paikin-Miller – a teacher, to promote her anti-racism book for children, which won the Anti-bias Curriculum Development Award from the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario.Paul has three daughters; a graphic designer, a programmer of social activities for seniors and a registered nurse.http://paulmiller.ca

Friday, June 19, 2015

Lord we pray that you would surround
Norm Miller MPP for Parry Sound with your wisdom and understanding. May you
surround him with your peace, and clarity of mind. May this be a
year of great favor for the work You have called him to. Amen.

BIOGRAPHY

Norm Miller was first elected to represent the riding of Parry Sound-Muskoka in a by-election on March 22, 2001, and re-elected in general elections in October 2003, October 2007 and October 2011.

Norm has served as the Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Northern Development and Mines, Commissioner of the Red Tape Secretariat, member of the Estimates Committee, and sat on the Cabinet Committee for Economic and Resource Policy.

While in opposition Norm has been the PC Critic for a variety of portfolios including Natural Resources, Aboriginal Affairs and Research and Innovation, and Finance. He also served as Chief Opposition Whip for 6 years and sat on the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs.

Most recently, he was appointed PC Critic for Aboriginal Affairs, as well as continuing to serve as the critic for Northern Development and Mines. Norm was also appointed to the PC Job Creation Task Force.

He is currently Chair of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts.

For 25 years, together with his wife, Christine and their four children, owned and operated a lodge on Lake Muskoka.

Norm is also past President of Muskoka Tourism, past Director and Treasurer of Resorts Ontario and is a strong advocate for economic growth and tourism in the Parry Sound-Muskoka area.http://www.normmillermpp.ca

Thursday, June 18, 2015

Father, we come before You
with thanksgiving for the men and women that serve us in the Ontario
Legislative Assembly. We lift up MPP Peter Milczyn to You and ask You to pour
out Your blessings on him and his family. Be with him Lord, as he serves his
constituency of Etobicoke-Lakeshore. Open his eyes to new possibilities as he
talks to people of our province. Renew his strength and vision for the work You
have called him to do. We ask this in Jesus’ name, Amen.

BIOGRAPHY

Peter has record of helping people in their everyday lives, delivering results, and a plan to create jobs here in Etobicoke.

A city councillor since 1994, Peter has always fought for our community. A trained architect, Peter has been a staunch advocate for expanding public transit and reducing gridlock. Peter knows that investing in transit will help grow our economy, and help people get to work and back home faster.A champion of responsible city building and fiscally responsible, efficient government, Peter will bring his experience and dedication to Queen’s Park so the voice of our community continues to be heard.Peter and his wife Rose are proud to raise their daughter in Etobicoke-Lakeshore’s Sunnylea neighbourhood.

Who We Are

PrayOntario is a prayer ministry of Leading Influence. Leading Influence provides pastoral care to elected officials across Canada. For more information on Leading Influence, please visit www.leadinginfluence.com